Window-cleaning device.



R. G. ZIRINGBR.

WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, 1910f Patented 0015121911 In ven for:

Z0 2 in esses:

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE. j

ROSCOE C. ZIRINGER, F PITTSBURGH, IENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F TWO-THIRDS TO M. G. LESLIE ANDWILLIAM SAUL, BOTH 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.-

WINDOW-CLEANING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Oct. 17,1911.

Application filed October 29, 1910. Serial No. 589,813.

Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have.

invented a new and-useful Improvement in \VindowCleaning Devices; and I do here by declare the following to be a full, clear and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to window cleaning devices and has special reference to mechani ca-lly operated window cleaners, such aS are operated by compressed air or. steam.

The object of my invent-ion is to provide a cheap, simple and efficient form of window cleaner, which is adapted to be attached to the outside of the 'car or engine cab and is operated by the motorman or engineer inside the'car or cab, by air or steam pressure, without necessitating the opening of the Window, and which is adapted to clean the Window quickly and thoroughly, when desired.

To these ends my invention consists, generally'stated, in the novel construction, ar-

rangement' and combination of parts, .as

hereinafter more specifically set forth and described, and particularly pointed. out in the claims.

To enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to construct and use my improved window cleaner, I will describe the same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a side view of a portion of a street car cab with the end. wall in section, and showing myimproved window -cleanerattached thereto. Fig. 2 is a front I view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section of the attachment used for regulating the pressure of the cleaner against the window pane. Fig. 4 is a top plan View of the scraping attachment. Fig. 5. is acentral cross-section of the same on the line 5-5 Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan view of 5 the valve block for operating the admission ofcompressed air or steam to the cylinder employed. Fig. 7 is a side view of the valve for fitting into the valve/block. Fig. 8'is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 9 is a cross section on the line 9-9, Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows. Like symbols of reference herein indicate like parts in each of the figures of the drawmg. v

As illustrated in the drawing, A represents the end portion 'of a streetcar having its platforms inclosed by a suitable vestibule, the end walls of--which are provided with windows B.

During stormy weather, or when it is very cold, .it' is very objectionable to the motorman or engineer -to repeatedly have to stop the car or engine in order that he may go out of the cab to clean the frost, snow or rain' from the front windows of the same for observation of the track ahead,-

and this is necessary 7 every few minutes, especially during a heavy snow storm, as objects in. front of the car or engine become very indistinct when the windows are thus covered with snow, etc. objection I haveprovided a window cleaning apparatus comprising a cylinder or tube from which a scraper attachment 2 proects, and said scraper is adapted to hold a strip of rubber or other suitable flexible materlal 3 for producing a steady even pressure on the window pane. This scraper 2 is provided at about its center with a se-' curing portion 4 which is adapted to be fas-' tened to the pressure attachment 5 and such attachment is secured to the end of a piston rod 6 which protrudes from the cylinder 1.

Within the cylinder 1 is the piston 7 which is secured to the piston rod 6, and said rod extends substantially the entire length of said cylinder, while such length is regulated by the height of the window pane to be cleaned. The cylinder l is also provided with the pipe 8 leading into its upper end an d the pipe Q-leading into its lower end for the admitting and the exhausting of the compressed air or steam respectively, as employed'in operating the same, and said pipes lead to a valve arrangement 10 conveniently located on the inside of the cab A, whereby the admission and exhaust are controlled. The valve arrangement 10 is composed of the valve block 11 and the valve 12 and said valve block is provided with the ports 1-3 and 14 in the rear end of the same for connection to the pipes 8 and 9 respectively, while the front end of said block is provided with the port 15 for connection to a pipe 16 leading from the sup,- ply tank of compressed air or steam. The valve 12 is of circular shape, and is slightly tapered inits body portion 17, so that such body portion will fit in the opening 18 of the valve block 11 and be revolved therein To overcome this by means of a handle 19 which is fitted over 5 the shank portion 20 of said valve.v Themovement of the valve 12 in the valve block 11 is limited totheshortest distance between the stops 21 and 22 onsaid valve block, against which a finger 23 on" said-v valve is adapted to strike, and suchflttalv is also provided with the passageways 24 and 25 and the exhaust port 26 asrlgreinaf- 'ter described. The pressure attachfiientfi is connected to the outer end of the piston and with a loose-collar 36, which is adapted to be movable on said bolt by means of turning said nut, while said collar is held in its desired position by the set screw '37 engaging the same and extending through a slot 38 in said barrel 29, so that said screw will remain in line with said collar through the medium of said slot. Between the collar 36 in the barrel portion 29 and the end wall 39 in the movable portion 30 is the spiral spring 40, the tension of which is regulated by means of the collar 36, and

which collar may be adjusted to any desired 4 position.

The end wall 39 of the movable portion 30 is provided with a circular lug 41, which fits into the circular hole 420m the securing portion 4 of the scraping device 2, to form a pivotal connection for said device and is secured therein by means of the set screw 43, so that said scraping devicemay be adjusted thereby to any' angle desired, while the holder 140f said scraping device isprovided withthe plate 45 and set screws 4E6 for adjusting said holder to any desired width in order to accommodate any size of the rubber strips 3 or other resilient material placed in said holder.

To operate my improved window cleaner,

the cylinder 1 can be placed and secured above or below the window B of the car or engine cab A in any suitable manner,

and as shown it. is held above the same by the clamping device C connected to the roof A, so that the scraping device 2. restson the upper end of the window pane when the piston rod 6 is inclosed in said cylinder. The handle 19 is then operated from its ofl' position to the position where the finger 23 rests against the stop 21. so that the air or steam passes from the supply pipe 16 and the port 15, passes through the passageways 24and 25, the port 13 and the pipe 8 and enters the cylinder 1 at the rear of the piston {pressing thepiston rod'outwardly and thus. forcing the scraping device 2 down .,over the Windowpane l The handle 19-is then turned .so that the finger 23 rests against the stop 22 and the air or steam will be admitted through the port 15, the passageways 25 and 24,'the 'port14[ and the pipe 9, and will enter at the front ofthe piston 7 :and thus force the said piston to the other endof the cylinder 1, and with it the scrapwhile theiair on the Ieversesideof said piston will*be forced outward through the pipe 8, the port 13 and will be exhausted through the exhaust port 26.

It will thus be seen that my improved" 'ing' 'dhvice 2 to itsnormal raised position, I

window cleaner can be operated very-quickly and withoutany'trouble to the operator,-

and the parts being few and simplev will thereby-eliminate the trouble arising from the parts getting out of order. I

'The'device is positive in its movement, convenientto operate at any time desired, and will perform'itsv'vorkrapidly and thoroughly, as often as is required, l

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. A window cleaning device comprising a suitably disposed cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston and having one of its ends passing through one end of said cylinder, a scraping blade for engaging with the'window, a sta' tionary barrel member connected to said blade, a spring within said barrel and member for holding .said blade against the Window, and means for controlling the movement of said piston.

2. A window cleaning device comprising a suitably disposed cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston rod end, a hollow movable member fitting in said barrel and connected to'said" piston and having one of its ends passing 7 through one end of said cylinder, a scraping blade for engaging with the window, a stationary barrel member connected to said piston rod end, a hollow movable member fitting in said barrel and connected to said blade,'a spring within said barrel and'member for holding said blade against the window, means for regulating thetension' on said spring, and means for controlling the movement of said-piston.

3. A window cleaning device comprising a suitably disposed cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connected to said piston andhaving one ofits ends pass-- ing through one end of said cyl1nder,-' ascraping blade for engaging with the window, a stationary barrel memberv connected to said piston rod end, a hollow movable member fitting in said barrel and connected to said blade, a spring within said barrel and member for holding saidblade against the window,'a screw bolt. extending into said barrel and having a loose collar thereon, a nut engaging withsaid collar, for regulating thetension on said spring, and

means'for controlling the movement of said" piston.

4. A windowcleaning device comprising a suitably disposed cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, apiston rod connected to said,

piston and having one of its ends passing through one end of said cylinder, a-scraping blade for engagement with'the window,

a stationary barrel member connected to' said piston rod end, a hollow movable memher fitting in said barrel and connected to,

said blade, a spring within'said barrel. and

member for holding said blade against the said cylinder, a pistonrod connected to said piston and having oneof its ends passing through one end of said cylinder, a scraping blade forengaging with the'window, a stationary barrel member connected 'to said piston rod end and having a slot therein,

a hollow movable member fitting in said, 35 barrel and connected to said blade, a s ring within said barrel and member forho ding said bladeagainst the'.window, a'screw -holt' extendlng into said barrel and having a loose collar. thereon engaging with saidao spring, a nut on said bolt engaging with said collar for regulating the tension on said spring, a" set screw passing through said slot engaging with said collar to hold said collar in p ston, and means for controlling the,

movement of said piston.

6. A window cleaning device comprising a suitably disposed cylinder, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod connected to'said piston having oneofits ends passing through 50 one end of said cylinder, a scraping blade for 'engaging with-thewindow, means connected tovsaid blade-and tosaid piston rod for holding said blade against the window,

means for pivotally 'adjusting said blade at 5'5 any desired angle against the window, and

means for controlling the movement of said piston..

In'testimon'y whereof, I, the said Rosoon C. Zmmonn, have hereunto set my hand.

ROSCOE C. ZIRINGER.

- Witnesses: I a

HAZEL WIBERLY,

J N. Cooxn. 

